Marvel Studios has confirmed British actor David Jonsson as the next Black Panther, introducing him as the adult Toussaint, also known as T'Challa II, in Black Panther 3. The announcement came on July 26, during Marvel Studios’ presentation at San Diego Comic-Con, where director Ryan Coogler welcomed Jonsson to the franchise before a packed audience. I want you to give a warm welcome to our new Black Panther: Mr David Jonsson, Coogler said on stage. ALSO READ: Cinema culture at a crossroads: Can it survive the streaming age? An emotional Jonsson thanked the filmmakers and cast, saying, Thank you Ryan. Thank you Kevin. Thank you to this amazing family that I have the honour and privilege and the blessing to join. I don't want to say too much because I want to let the screen do the talking, but believe me, the honour is entirely mine, he added. Jonsson will portray the grown-up version of Toussaint, the son of the late King T'Challa, who was introduced as a child in the post-credits scene of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. His casting signals the next chapter for Wakanda after Marvel chose not to recast Chadwick Boseman's original T'Challa following the actor's death from cancer in 2020 at the age of 43. At the time, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said Boseman's portrayal had become inseparable from the character. ALSO READ: Somi debuts as first Rwandan actor to appear on Broadway To honour the legacy that Chad helped us build, we want to continue to explore the world of Wakanda and all the rich and varied characters introduced in the first film, Feige said. That decision saw Letitia Wright's Shuri become the new Black Panther in Wakanda Forever, while the introduction of T'Challa's son hinted that the mantle would eventually return to the royal bloodline. For Rwandan audiences, Winston Duke’s return as M’Baku carries added significance. The actor became a Rwandan citizen in September 2023 and has continued to highlight his connection to the country. ALSO READ: Rwandan actress Amike on acting, fashion, breaking barriers in cinema Black Panther 3 will feature the return of Wright and Duke alongside Academy Award-winning actor Denzel Washington, whose involvement had previously been confirmed. Ryan Coogler returns to direct the trilogy's third instalment after leading the first two films and following the success of his latest feature, Sinners. Who is David Jonsson? Although this is Jonsson's biggest role to date, the 32-year-old London-born actor has steadily built a reputation as one of Britain's rising screen talents. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), one of the United Kingdom's leading drama schools, Jonsson first gained widespread recognition as Gus Sackey in HBO's finance drama 'Industry.' He later received praise for starring in the romantic comedy Rye Lane, the science-fiction horror film Alien: Romulus and The Long Walk, an adaptation of Stephen King's novel. His performances earned him the 2025 BAFTA Rising Star Award, an honour recognising emerging actors with exceptional potential. The Black Panther series remains one of Marvel's most celebrated franchises. The original 2018 film earned more than $1.3 billion at the global box office and became the first superhero film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. It won Oscars for production design, costume design and original score. Its sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, grossed $859 million worldwide and introduced the next generation of Wakanda's royal family. Black Panther 3 is scheduled for release in cinemas on December 15, 2028.
